Season’s Greetings from the Frontlines
Christmas cards tell stories. The 785 cards General Harold K. Johnson sent show us the Army of the 1960s. Dense clusters reveal an Army invested in Europe ramping up into the Vietnam War.
But they also show us the Army’s human side. In 1966, Johnson’s shortness in a card to family (“This last year has been enormously busy.”) suggests the stress of serving as the nation’s most senior Army officer. However, cards like those from Sergeant Warren Barlow outlining his goals for 1968 (“1. Higher education college level”) reveal a humanness often missing in historical articles about the Army and soldiers.
I know this about Johnson because I wrote “Merry Christmas from the Johnsons” for War on the Rocks earlier this month which was built on this Harding Project post from last year. This ability of seasonal articles to reveal both history and human makes them suitable for military journals–and fun community building content.
The Harding Project uses seasonal content for these purposes. Thanksgiving menus, Christmas poems, St. Patrick’s Day writing competitions, and Poe profiles form only a tiny piece of our content, but (hopefully) get you to think about professional writing in a new way—and keep you coming back.
Tips for seasonal articles
Yet, writing holiday-themed content isn’t quite the same as tackling other topics. It comes with its own set of advantages and challenges, which can make the process both easier and harder in different ways. If you’re thinking about trying your hard at a seasonal article, consider these points:
Fixed deadlines. Holidays like Christmas or Veterans Day provide a clear target date for your seasonal article. This can make planning and drafting simpler. However, you must also account for the editorial process, often submitting your work weeks or even months in advance. Start early!
Narrow scope. Seasonal topics naturally focus on themes like family, traditions, or reflection, which makes it easier to hone your message. I’ve found the Army’s archives at Carlisle and archive.org’s back catalogues of Infantry or Armor full of fresh angles.
Uplifting expectations. Readers expect seasonal content to be reflective or uplifting. This openness is an opportunity, but it also means avoiding clichés and seeking unique or underexplored perspectives.
Relevance and timeliness. Holiday articles are timely but often have a short shelf life, but well done articles may get re-posted year after year.
Visual integration. Strong visuals like photos or historical artifacts enhance holiday articles. Plan ahead to source imagery that complements and elevates your story.
Seasonal content offers a unique way to tell the Army’s story, blending tradition with humanity. Whether you explore historical Christmas cards or today’s unit traditions, holiday articles have the power to connect readers in meaningful ways.
** Thanks to Jack Meeker for this great holiday Harding**